Communities in Bloom

Community appearance  reflects an overall  effort by the municipality, businesses, institutions and the residents throughout the community to create great first impressions and a sense that there is continuous attention and upkeep to critical elements of a community that benefit quality of life and economic vitality Elements for evaluation are: parks and green spaces, medians, boulevards, sidewalks, streets; municipal, commercial, institutional and residential properties; ditches, road shoulders, vacant lots, signs and buildings; weed control, litter clean-up (including cigarette butts and gum), graffiti prevention/removal and vandalism deterrent programs.

Environmental action pertains to the impact of human activities on the environment and the subsequent efforts and achievements of the community with respect to: environmental stewardship, policies, by-laws, programs and best practices for waste reduction and landfill diversion, composting sites, landfill sites, hazardous waste collections, water conservation, energy conservation, and activities under the guiding principles of sustainable development pertaining to green spaces.

Heritage conservation includes efforts to preserve and protect both natural and cultural heritage within the community. Preservation of natural heritage pertains to policies, plans and actions concerning all elements of biodiversity including flora and fauna ecosystems and associated geological structures and formations. Cultural conservation represents the “persona” of a community and refers to the heritage that helps define the community including the legacy of tangible (built/hard assets) elements such as heritage buildings, monuments, memorials, cemeteries, artifacts, museums and intangible elements such as traditions, customs, festivals and celebrations. The participation of groups such as historical societies, traditional cultural groups, and conservation groups is considered.

Woodlands, Canopy Management, Urban and Rural Forestry includes the efforts of the municipality, businesses, institutions and residents with regards to written policies, by-laws, standards for tree management protection (selection, planting, and maintenance), long and short-term management plans, tree replacement policies, pollinator-friendly tree selection, tree inventory  including heritage, memorial, and commemorative trees, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.

Landscape includes planning, design, construction and maintenance of parks, green spaces and cemeteries suitable for the intended use and location on a year-round basis. Elements for evaluation include: native and introduced materials; biodiversity, materials and constructed elements; appropriate integration of hard surfaces and art elements, use of turf and groundcovers. Landscape design should harmonize the interests of all sectors of the community and provide safe and secure public spaces. Standards of execution and maintenance should demonstrate best practices, including quality of naturalization, use of groundcovers and wildflowers along with turf management.

This category evaluates the efforts of the municipality, businesses, institutions and residents to design, plan, execute, and maintain plant and floral displays of high quality standards. Evaluation includes the design and arrangements of flowers and plants (annuals, perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, edible plants, water efficient and pollinator friendly plants) in the context of originality, distribution, location, diversity and balance, colour, and harmony. It also pertains to flowerbeds, carpet bedding, containers, baskets and window boxes.

Based on the evaluation, communities may be awarded ratings from one to five blooms, five blooms being the highest rating. Based on their ranking, communities can move on to the national and international competitions. Communities may also be eligible for special awards based on specific criteria such as sustainability, biodiversity, or community involvement.

Based on the evaluation, communities may be awarded ratings from one to five blooms, five blooms being the highest rating. Based on their ranking, communities can move on to the national and international competitions. Communities may also be eligible for special awards based on specific criteria such as sustainability, biodiversity, or community involvement.

Benefits:

• On-site signage placed at key garden or beautification locations along the tour route
• Premium placement on the back page of the Communities in Bloom profile booklet
• Recognition and logo placement on the Communities in Bloom webpage
• Verbal acknowledgment during judge-led touring activities
• Inclusion in City promotional and social media posts (where applicable)
• Two (2) invitations to the Judges’ Reception

Sponsors:

Benefits:

• Signage at the Judges’ Reception venue
• Back page logo placement in the Communities in Bloom profile booklet
• Recognition on the Communities in Bloom webpage
• Logo placement on volunteer and event T-shirts
• Opportunity to provide branded materials or items at the reception (optional)
• Two (2) invitations to the Judges’ Reception

Sponsors:

Benefits:

• On-site signage at the sponsored garden or tour stop location
• Mention on the sponsor recognition page in the profile booklet
• Recognition on the Communities in Bloom webpage
• Inclusion in the online tour map
• Logo placement on official Communities in Bloom T-shirts
• Opportunity to connect directly with neighbourhood-level beautification initiatives

Sponsors:

Benefits:

• Table card recognition at the dinner event
• Mention on the sponsor page in the profile booklet
• Recognition on the Communities in Bloom webpage
• Logo placement on official Communities in Bloom T-shirts
• Opportunity to showcase local food, hospitality, or services

Sponsors:

Benefits:

• Table card recognition at the lunch location
• Mention on the sponsor page in the profile booklet
• Recognition on the Communities in Bloom webpage
• Sponsor name listed on official Communities in Bloom T-shirts
• Ideal opportunity for local restaurants, caterers, or food vendors

Sponsors: